By Steve Novak, Armchair Lehigh Valley

Last year, Joseph Poplawski had his eyes set on Bethlehem City Hall. This year, the Republican is seeking a seat in Harrisburg, pitting himself in the Nov. 3 election against established Democratic state Rep. Steve Samuelson, who is vying for his 15th consecutive term representing the 135th District.

Samuelson, 66, who chairs the House Finance Committee, has represented the district since 1999. The Bethlehem native is a Liberty High School and Lehigh University graduate, who previously worked as a reporter for the Bethlehem Globe-Times. He had also been a legislative aide for two state representatives and clerked for the Lehigh County Board of Commissioners for nearly a decade.

Samuelson, in an email with Armchair Lehigh Valley, described himself as a “hands-on legislator” and said his Bethlehem office “is among the very busiest in the state.” A bio on the state House Democrats’ website says his office assists more than 900 residents a year with tax relief applications.

He said one of his greatest accomplishments as a lawmaker was proposing and passing an expansion of a property tax and rent rebate program, allowing 120,000 more people to qualify and increasing rebate amounts. He also cited a deduction on student loan interest and expanded or new tax credits for child care and working families.

“My experience has delivered results in our community, and as chair of the House Finance Committee I have helped enact several tax cuts that benefit people all over the state,” Samuelson said.

He said his top issues this election are boosting investments in education, cutting taxes for working families and seniors, and supporting economic development, infrastructure and community development in the district.

Poplawski, 61, who owns a home inspection company, is seeking state office after unsuccessfully running for Bethlehem City Council in 2025. In an email to Armchair Lehigh Valley, he described himself as a problem-solver by trade through his engineering background. He said that he’s “committed to tackling the issues that matter most” to district residents with “creative thinking.”

”My opponent has been in for 27 years and I have watched my community continue to decline,” Poplawski said. “It’s time to put Bethlehem back on an upward trajectory.”

Poplawski said his top issues this election are banning Flock cameras and stopping “the proliferation of the surveillance state”; stopping data center development from harming communities; addressing home affordability “through common sense zoning and building code modifications”; and repealing Pennsylvania’s gas tax.

State representatives serve two-year terms and receive a base salary of $113,000. Democrats comprise a majority in the state House, 103-100.

The 135th includes the Northampton County side of Bethlehem and part of Hanover Township (Districts 1, 2, 3, 4 and 6).

The candidates answered Armchair Lehigh Valley’s questions on a variety of issues. Their responses are summarized below.

Affordability

Samuelson: Co-sponsored the 2023 bill establishing the Working Pennsylvanians Tax Credit, which he says has benefited 876,000 families statewide. Supported a bill to gradually increase Pennsylvania’s minimum wage to $15 an hour by 2029; the bill passed the House and he called on the Republican-led Senate to act on the measure. “The time to raise the minimum wage is now!” Samuelson said.

Poplawski: Said repealing the gas tax would “offer immediate relief.” Generally supports a higher minimum wage, but said “the real focus should be on curbing inflation.”

Healthcare

Samuelson: Promoted a bill that would provide tax credits to small businesses that contribute to employees’ health insurance premiums (it overwhelmingly passed the House 200-2 and awaits action in the state Senate). Supports Gov. Josh Shapiro’s state-level plan to subsidize insurance premiums but says federal action is needed. “Congress should do its job and reverse the cuts to the Affordable Care Act that occurred on their watch,” he said.

Poplawski: Said focus should be on fraud, waste and developing individually tailored healthcare packages. “Relying on tax dollars alone will only drive healthcare costs higher,” he said.

Data centers

Samuelson: Voted in favor of a bill for a 180-day moratorium on data center development, to give municipalities time to reassess planning and zoning. Also voted to repeal a sales tax exemption for data center equipment (that he initially supported in 2021), as well as other bills to regulate data center development. Said he supports the governor’s ability to enact requirements on data centers by executive order and criticized the Republican-led Senate for not enacting measures that have passed the Democrat-led House.

Poplawski: Opposes data center development, calling them “a short-sighted effect” of an economic bubble. Supports “any and all efforts to stop data centers.” Said data center tax incentives should be redirected to manufacturers, and that commitments on energy costs, community engagements, sustainable jobs and environmental standards should be minimum requirements for data center consideration. Also proposes data center activities be disclosed “so that Americans aren’t unwittingly forced to support unscrupulous AI/surveillance companies.”

Immigration detention

Samuelson: Said ICE agents should not wear masks; should not detain anyone in or around courts, schools or hospitals; and that new, privately owned detention centers are not needed. Called on Congress to “rein in uncontrolled spending” by the agency. “ICE agents should be held accountable for their actions.”

Poplawski: Said immigration agents should not wear masks. Wants to see measures to “build trust” between law enforcement and communities. When asked about privately owned immigration centers, said he supports “measures to efficiently and compassionately return immigrants to their home countries.” “To this end, I think we ought to return them to their families ASAP and not waste resources on temporary facilities.”

Education

Samuelson: Has supported “historic increases” in education funding and said Pennsylvania “must continue this progress and continue to include adequacy and equity funding, which has helped underfunded districts like Bethlehem.” Also said he supports tax relief efforts for seniors, such as a proposed freeze on school property taxes for seniors, funded through a digital ad tax. Said cellphones should not be allowed in the classroom, especially for younger students, but he voted against a blanket ban covering all school property: “Each district should be able to enact a strong policy which works in their community.”

Poplawski: Said alternative school funding models should be explored, “including a system where families within children in school and a broadened sales tax contribute to education costs,” which he said would provide “stable, predictable funding.” Supports bell-to-bell cellphone bans and limited use of technology in schools.

Skill games

Samuelson: Said skill games should be taxed and regulated by the state as mandated in an Oct. 13 deadline set by the state Supreme Court. Supports Shapiro’s plan for a 52% tax, which he said would be in line with levies on casino slot machines.

Poplawski: Did not provide a preferred approach to regulating and taxing skill games, but said the games proliferate gambling addictions. “We should look to curb our citizens from engaging in harmful activities, not encourage it.”

Voting

Samuelson: Supported a bill that would allow counties more time to count mail-in votes. Opposes a proposal to limit satellite voting locations, saying more drop boxes are needed for voters to “safely and securely” cast ballots. Opposed measures that would have expanded voter ID requirements (identification is only required the first time someone votes at a polling location). “I do not oppose efforts to suppress the vote like those we have seen across the country,” he said.

Poplawski: Opposes early mail ballot canvassing and satellite voting offices. Says voter ID should be required, “but the government should provide every citizen with a free ID.”

Reproductive rights

Samuelson: Voted for a measure proposing a state constitutional amendment that would protect “reproductive liberty” including abortions, contraceptives and fertility care. “I support Constitutional protections for abortion rights.”

Poplawski: Opposes a proposed state constitutional amendment protecting reproductive rights, which he argues is too permissive. “Most normal Pennsylvanians would agree that a 9th month abortion is barbaric,” he said. (The bill says the state could regulate abortion care “after fetal viability,” but “in no circumstance” could it prohibit an abortion deemed medically necessary.)

Gun rights

Samuelson: Supports universal background checks and lifetime firearm-ownership bans for people who violate protection-from-abuse orders. Opposed measures that would have allowed unlicensed concealed carry and prevented municipalities from enacting tougher firearm restrictions than the state’s own laws. “Municipalities should have the ability, through their elected officials, to adopt gun safety laws.”

Poplawski: When asked about universal background checks, ownership bans for PFA violators, concealed carry licenses, or if municipalities should be able to pass regulations stricter than state law, responded: “The 2nd Amendment is clear, no one should be denied the right to protect themselves and their loved ones.”

This story first appeared on Armchair Lehigh Valley and is being published on themorningcall.com as part of a partnership with the website, which aims to give voters factual information in a nonpartisan way to help them make informed decisions at the polls. Armchair Lehigh Valley is run by publisher Katherine Reinhard and editor Robert H. Orenstein, two former Morning Call employees. Learn more about Armchair Lehigh Valley and subscribe at armchairlehighvalley.substack.com.